Bills place CB Webster on IR; Sign LB Joe

Webster’s season is over after he broke his forearm in the second half of Buffalo’s 15-14 season-opening loss to Denver on Sunday. It’s not clear how he was hurt, but it’s the latest blow to an already injury-depleted defense as the team prepares to play at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The Bears selected Joe out of Maryland in the fourth round of the 2004 draft.

Webster is the third player this week to be placed on IR, following tight end Kevin Everett (spinal cord injury) and starting free safety Ko Simpson. Both were
also hurt against Denver.

The Bills are also without converted safety Coy Wire (sprained knee), who was starting at linebacker in place of injured Keith Ellison (high ankle sprain).

Ryan Denney is out until next month because of a broken foot, and Anthony Hargrove is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Al Wallace was placed on IR before the start of the season when he hurt his shoulder in Buffalo’s preseason finale.

John DiGiorgio will take over for Wire despite spraining his thumb on Sunday. Receiver Josh Reed’s status is uncertain after he missed his second straight practice with a bruised thigh.

Coach Dick Jauron said it’s uncertain whether Reed will play on Sunday.

As for placing Webster on IR, Jauron said the team couldn’t afford carrying this many injured players on its active roster.

“We need players to fill up our roster now and be able to play in some capacity to help us try to win games now,” Jauron said.

Webster had a reputation for being injury-prone when the Bills signed the seven-year veteran in May to take over after the team lost star Nate Clements to free
agency.

After never missing a game in his first three seasons with San Francisco, Webster had not completed a full season in his past four — including the past three with Atlanta. The Falcons, who signed Webster to a six-year deal in 2004, released him in May.